ZAIRE: TUTSI REBELS ADVANCE ON KEY GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED TOWNS

(6 Dec 1996) Natural Sound

Zairean Tutsi rebels are advancing on key government-controlled towns driving the government troops into the hills.

The government's ill-disciplined soldiers having left behind a trail of destruction -- towns looted and burned.

Rebels near Beni on the Ugandan border captured some of the fleeing soldiers.

The Banyamulenge rebels say they are fighting for democracy and freedom in their country.

In recent days, they have driven many government troops into the forests near Beni on the Ugandan border.

The poorly trained, poorly paid and poorly fed government troops have fled many of these smaller villages without a fight.

This village is located 120 kilometers north of Butembo in northern Zaire.

These are the burning shells of the recently abandon homes of government soldiers.

Rebel troops find ammunition and weapons left behind in the hasty retreat.

As the rebels take control of the village -- a woman is singled out for punishment -- she is slapped for allegedly aiding government troops.

Another villager points to the bush. She tells the rebels a soldier -- a straggler -- is hiding in the forest.

The man is found and dragged back into the village.

He begs for his life repeating over and over, "Please, please do not kill me.... please, please do not kill me," denying he is a government soldier.

His pack and belongings are discovered and emptied.

An army uniform along with his ammunition hit the ground- a damning indictment.

He is not summarily executed, at least not in front of the media, and is dragged away a prisoner.

Another soldier is found hiding in the forest.

He too is bound and taken prisoner.

Rebel troops are advancing north and west with little hindrance.

They are making their way towards the towns of Watsa and Isiro and the northeastern regional capital of Kisangani, Zaire's fourth largest city.

#Zaire #Tutsi #Rebels
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